EAP Films

EAP Films is a Sri Lankan entertainment company whose business combines cinema exhibition, film distribution, and film production. The enterprise began in 1972 as Edirisinghe Cinema Theatres under the wider EAP Group, established by an unnamed husband-and-wife team. Its early business was centered on operating cinemas and distributing Sinhala-language films. In 1974, it expanded its exhibition footprint through the acquisition of the Savoy Cinema theatres, helping establish the company as a significant participant in Sri Lanka’s cinema market. During the mid-1980s, EAP broadened its distribution activities by obtaining a licence to distribute Hollywood films in Sri Lanka. This added international titles to a business that had initially focused on Sinhala productions and made the company a more diversified theatrical operator. Alongside its own cinemas, EAP developed a film circuit used to distribute movies to theatres, linking exhibition and distribution rather than treating them as separate activities. EAP Films entered film production in 1994. Its first production release was Dhawala Pushpaya, issued that year. Production subsequently became one part of a wider entertainment portfolio that continued to include theatrical exhibition and distribution. The company’s theatre network became one of the largest in Sri Lanka, with more than 15 screens reported across the island. It also built a cinema in Wellawatte, adding to its physical exhibition infrastructure. A major modernization step occurred in 2014, when EAP’s theatres were converted to digital projection. The company also participated in the exhibition of large-format and 3D releases. Its reported peak booking performance included 10,000 tickets for the Tamil-language 3D film 2.0. Sri Lankan films such as Vijayaba Kollaya and Gajaman were also screened in 3D through the company’s cinema operations, reflecting the growing importance of digital and premium-format presentation in its market. EAP pursued external partnerships as the sector developed. In 2015, Australia’s Village Roadshow and EAP Group entered into a partnership. In 2019, Ben Holdings acquired EAP Films for a reported Rs 12 billion. Related corporate changes also affected the wider EAP business: EAP Holdings, the parent of EAP Broadcasting Company, was acquired by Lyca Group, while EAP Broadcasting Company was described as a subsidiary of Ben Holdings alongside Lyca Productions. The precise present-day corporate structure and the company’s current stock-exchange status are not established in the available material. EAP Films is nevertheless identified as a major Sri Lankan theatre operator and as a business spanning film production, distribution, and exhibition.

EAP Films traces its origins to 1972, when it was established as Edirisinghe Cinema Theatres under EAP Group. The business was founded by a husband-and-wife team whose names are not identified in the available reference material. Its original role was primarily theatrical: it operated cinemas and distributed Sinhala films in Sri Lanka. The company expanded its exhibition presence in 1974 by acquiring Savoy Cinema theatres. This acquisition strengthened its position in the domestic market and helped form the basis of the cinema circuit associated with EAP Films. During the mid-1980s, the company added a licence to distribute Hollywood movies. The change broadened its catalogue beyond Sinhala-language cinema and gave its theatres access to international commercial releases. In 1994, EAP moved into film production. Its first release was Dhawala Pushpaya, marking the extension of the business from exhibition and distribution into the creation of local films. The company continued to operate across the three connected areas of production, distribution, and cinema exhibition. Its distribution circuit supplied films to theatres, while its own exhibition network provided direct access to audiences. EAP’s cinema network grew to more than 15 screens across Sri Lanka, making it one of the country’s largest theatre operators by reported screen share. The company also developed a cinema in Wellawatte. In 2014, its theatres underwent conversion to digital projection. This modernization enabled more flexible programming and supported 3D presentations. EAP recorded 10,000 bookings for the Tamil-language 3D film 2.0, while Sri Lankan titles including Vijayaba Kollaya and Gajaman were also shown in 3D. The company entered a partnership with Australia’s Village Roadshow in 2015. The partnership reflected the continuing development of Sri Lanka’s commercial cinema infrastructure and EAP’s role as a local exhibition and entertainment platform. In 2019, Ben Holdings acquired EAP Films for a reported Rs 12 billion. Corporate changes involving the wider EAP organization also included the acquisition of EAP Holdings by Lyca Group. Available descriptions identify EAP Broadcasting Company as a subsidiary of Ben Holdings together with Lyca Productions, although the exact relationships among these entities require further verification. EAP Films was reported to have been listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange since the 2000s. The available material does not establish whether that listing continued after the 2019 acquisition or specify a ticker symbol. Current leadership, headquarters beyond Sri Lanka, and the precise present operating structure are likewise not documented in the supplied references.

• 2019

  Ben Holdings acquisition

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  Ben Holdings acquires EAP Films in a reported Rs 12 billion transaction.

• 2015

  Village Roadshow partnership

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  Village Roadshow of Australia and EAP Group enter a partnership.

• 2014

  Theatre network converted to digital

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  EAP converts its cinemas to digital projection and subsequently supports 3D screenings.

• 1994

  First film production released

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  Dhawala Pushpaya becomes EAP Films’ first known production release.

• 1980

  Hollywood distribution added

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  During the mid-1980s, the company obtains a licence to distribute Hollywood films in Sri Lanka.

• 1974

  Savoy Cinema theatres acquired

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  EAP expands its cinema exhibition presence through the acquisition of Savoy Cinema theatres.

• 1972

  Edirisinghe Cinema Theatres is founded

  [1]EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org

  The business that became EAP Films is established as Edirisinghe Cinema Theatres under EAP Group.

A vertically integrated Sri Lankan film business combining cinema ownership and operation with theatrical distribution and local film production.

• Cinema operations · 1972

  Cinema exhibition

  EAP Films operates a Sri Lankan cinema circuit reported to include more than 15 screens across the island. Its exhibition business has included domestic Sinhala films, Hollywood releases, Tamil-language films, and digital and 3D presentations. The company also developed a cinema in Wellawatte.

• Theatrical distribution · 1972

  Film distribution

  The company distributes films through its own circuit and to theatres in Sri Lanka. It initially focused on Sinhala films and later added Hollywood movies after obtaining a distribution licence in the mid-1980s.

• Feature-film production · 1994

  Film production

  EAP began producing films in 1994. Its first release was Dhawala Pushpaya, marking the company’s expansion from cinema exhibition and distribution into local film production.

• Cinema technology · 2014

  Digital and 3D presentation

  Following the 2014 digital conversion of its theatres, EAP presented selected films in 3D. Reported examples include the Tamil film 2.0 and the Sri Lankan films Vijayaba Kollaya and Gajaman.

• 2019

  Acquisition by Ben HoldingsM&A

  Background

  EAP Films was acquired as part of changes in ownership of Sri Lankan entertainment assets.

  Action taken

  Ben Holdings acquired EAP Films for a reported Rs 12 billion.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition changed the company’s ownership. The post-acquisition stock-exchange status and detailed corporate structure are not clear from the available references.

  Reported acquisition value. Rs 12 billion (2019)

  Source

• 2015

  Partner with Village RoadshowStrategy

  Background

  EAP sought to develop its cinema and entertainment activities through an international partnership.

  Action taken

  Village Roadshow of Australia and EAP Group entered into a partnership.

  Aftermath

  The available material does not detail the partnership’s operational results or duration.

  Source

• 2014

  Convert theatres to digital projectionStrategy

  Background

  The cinema industry was moving from traditional projection toward digital distribution and premium formats.

  Action taken

  EAP converted its theatres to digital projection and later used the network for 3D screenings.

  Aftermath

  The modernization enabled the company to screen digital and 3D releases, including 2.0, Vijayaba Kollaya, and Gajaman.

  Source

1. 1EAP Filmsen.wikipedia.org